IBM Visualization Data Explorer QuickStart Guide

Data Explorer is a system of tools and user interfaces for visualizing
data.
In general terms the visualization of data can be considered a 3-stage
process:

Describing and importing data

Processing the data through a visualization program

Presenting the resulting image.

The simple diagram below shows where the chief tools and interfaces of
Data Explorer fit into this process.
The numbered list that follows Figure 1 is keyed to the
diagram.
The list items briefly describe the roles of these features in Data Explorer
visualization and give references to the relevant Data Explorer
documentation.

Figure 1. Main
features of Data Explorer. Tools and interfaces are positioned to show
their general place in the visualization process. All those listed below the
data->image sequence are interactive interfaces except for the "modules" (6
and 10), which are directly accessible and manipulable in the Visual Program
Editor (5). Numbers correspond to those in the accompanying list. Underlined
features are discussed in this Guide. Features not underlined are discussed in
other documentation, cited in the list.

(1) Data Model

The set of definitions, rules, and conventions used to describe
Data Explorer entities (including data fields, geometrical objects,
and images).

A simple, high-level language for creating visualization
programs.
It can also be used directly in a command mode to perform various
tasks.
Visual programs--i.e., the visualization programs displayed in
the Visual Program Editor window (5) as "networks" of module
icons--are also written in the scripting language.
A visual program constructed in this window by the user is translated
into the same language when it is saved to disk.

A graphical user interface for creating and modifying visual
programs (networks).
Programs created with this editor are translated into the scripting
language (4) by Data Explorer and are stored in that form.